(Paris:): De L'Imprimerie De Monsieur., M. DCC. LXXXV.
Physical Description
2 vols.; 341 mm. (Quarto.)
General Note
Vol. I: [6], 309, [1] p. [2] add. engr. t.pl., [48] pl. - Vol. II: [4], 297, [3] p., [48] pl. - Each Livre of text is accompanied by one unnumbered pl. [summary and vignette] and three pl. numbered I-III, carrying also the number of the book.
Contents
Vol. I: [Half-t., two add. engr. t.pl., t.p.] - [Text, bks. 1-12, with pl.]. - Vol. II: [Half-t., t.p.] - [Text, bks. 13-24, with pl.] - Approbation; Privilège Du Roi.
Responsibility Note
All numbered plates are signed as designed by C. Monnet and engraved by J.B. Tilliard. In each book the unnumbered plate (carrying a summary and vignette) is unsigned.
The first added engraved t.-pl. is unsigned; the second is signed as scripted by Montulay.
The title-page vignette (repeated in Vol. II) is signed as designed by Choffard and engraved by Bougries(?).
On the half-title versos are given the name of the printer, P. Fr. Didot, and those of the booksellers, Barrois aîné, Eugène Onfroy, Theophile Barrois, Delalain jeune.
References
H. Cohen, Guide de l'amateur de livres à gravures du XVIIIe siècle (6th. ed., rev. S. de Ricci, 1912), col. 383; G.N. Ray, The art of the French illustrated book 1780 to 1914 (1982,; in paperback 1986), no.36.
P. Marechaux, 'Les dieux de Fénelon: Homère, Virgile et la tradition mythographique dans le Télémaque', in Littératures classiques, 23 (1995); V. Kapp, Télémaque de Fénelon: la signification d'une œuvre littéraire à la fin du siècle classique (1983); F. Gallouédec-Genuys, Le prince selon Fénelon (1963); A. Lombard, Fénelon et le retour à l'antique au XVIIIe siècle (1954).
Summary Note
The first added engraved title-plate reads, 'Les Aventures De Télémaque Par Fenelon, Ornées De Figures Gravées D'Après Les Desseins De Cles. Monnet Peintre Du Roi Par Jean Baptiste Tilliard'. The second reads, 'Les Aventures De Télémaque, Fils D'Ulysse. Gravées D'Après Les Desseins De Charles Monnet Peintre Du Roy Par Jean Baptiste Tilliard. A Paris Chez L'Auteur Quay des Grands Augustins maison de Mr. Debure Fils Ainé Libraire. M.DCC.LXXIII. Avec Privilege Du Roy'.
The work is a fictional account of the travels of Telemachus, Odysseus's son - under the guise of which Fénelon's pupil, the Duc de Boulogne, was to receive lessons in self-control and a critique of autocracy. It was first published in 1699, and in the 18th century attracted a number of illustrators. The edition with illustrations by Monnet was first published in 1773.
Binding Note
18th-century red morocco, upper and lower covers with gilt borders; spines gilt-decorated and lettered 'Télémaque', black morocco spine-labels numbered '1' and '2'.